Product package and methods therefore

ABSTRACT

A package for the product where the package includes a sizing cavity where an article, upon which the product is to be applied, is to be insertable within a sizing cavity to determine that the particular product in that package is to be the correct size for that particular article. A method of packaging a product which comprises forming a housing within which the product is located and forming at least one sizing cavity within the housing of a specific size and shape which is to connect with a canister upon which the product is to be located. A method of merchandising a product comprising the steps of placing the product in a housing and forming in the housing at least one sizing cavity of a specific size and shape, attempting to place a canister separate from the housing within the sizing cavity, and if it fits there within, the product will be the correct size of product to be used with the canister.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to packages which are used for merchandising of products and more particularly to a package which has a function of being able to determine what size product fits with what size article on which the product is to be employed.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In order to display and merchandise product, it has been common in the past to use a type of package known as a “blister pack”. A blister pack comprises a pair of thin, sheet material, transparent members that are to be matingly connected together with the product that is to be merchandised being captured therebetween. In many instances, there are different sizes of products with each size of product to connect with a separate article and this separate article must be of a particular size for each size of product. Consumers, when purchasing of the product, need to discover which particular product fits with their particular article. The common way to ascertain the correct fit is that on the package itself there is imprinted what size or sizes of articles which the product is to be used with. However, it is common for a consumer to purchase the incorrect product for his or her specific size article. It is therefore common that the blister pack is torn open whereupon the consumer then finds the product, when removed from the package, does not fit his or her article to which it is to be connected. The result is that the consumer places it back within the package, takes it back to the store and obtains a new, hopefully correctly sized, product for his or her article.

[0005] The problem with this scenario is that once the package has been ripped open, it is difficult to sell to a new consumer. The result is the product has to be repackaged. The torn open package is returned to the manufacturer who repackages a product and sends such back to the retail outlet that is merchandising the product. It is common that there is a charge involved in this repackaging which usually amounts to twenty-five percent of the retail cost of the product. The net result is that the profit on that particular product is probably lost by the retail outlet.

[0006] There is a need to design a product package where there are several different sizes of products each to be usable in conjunction with a particularly sized article where the package itself can be utilized to determine the size of the article to which the product is to be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A primary objective of the present invention is to construct a product package to include an article sizing cavity where the article can be physically located in conjunction with the cavity, and if the article fits within the cavity, then the particular product in that package will be the correct size for that particular article.

[0008] A first basic embodiment of the present invention comprises a package that is constructed of a housing having a product receiving chamber. A product is to be located within the product receiving chamber. The housing has at least one sizing cavity of a specific size and shape. An article is to be attempted by the consumer to mate with the sizing cavity, and if the article fits within the sizing cavity, the product will be the correct size for the article.

[0009] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the product having a curved configuration.

[0010] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the curved configuration of product has a plurality of products each of which have a different curvature.

[0011] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment has a housing which is at least partially transparent in order to visually observe the product contained therein.

[0012] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the sizing cavity being smoothly arcuate.

[0013] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the smoothly arcuate sizing cavity is of a cylindrical configuration.

[0014] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the housing of the package has actually a pair of sizing cavities each of which is of a different size.

[0015] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the cylindrical sizing cavity comprises a hole.

[0016] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the hole sizing cavity has a center axis which is transverse to the longitudinal center axis of the package.

[0017] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the hole sizing cavity has a center axis which coincides with the longitudinal center axis of the package.

[0018] A second basic embodiment of a package for a product is where the product is to be used on the exterior surface of a cylindrically shaped canister. The package comprises a housing composed of an outer member and an inner member with the product to be captured between the outer member and the inner member. The housing has a partly circular first sizing cavity of a first specific diameter. The canister is to be placed within the first sizing cavity, and if the cylindrical shape of the cavity fits within the first sizing cavity, the product will be the correct size for the canister.

[0019] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the housing being transparent in order to observe the product retained therein.

[0020] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the housing having a partly circular second sizing cavity of a second specific diameter and the second specific diameter is different in diameter from the first specific diameter.

[0021] A third basic embodiment of the present invention which comprises a method of packaging a product which uses the steps of forming a housing with a product receiving chamber, placing of the product within the product receiving chamber and forming of at least one sizing cavity on the housing of a specific size and shape.

[0022] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the third basic embodiment is modified by the housing having formed thereon two in number of sizing cavities.

[0023] A fourth basic embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of merchandising a product comprising the steps of placing the product in a housing, forming in the housing at least one sizing cavity of a specific size and shape and attempting to place a canister separate from the housing within the cavity to determine whether the particular size of product that is contained within the package will fit the particular canister.

[0024] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the fourth basic embodiment is modified by the forming of the housing of two in number of housing cavities.

[0025] A further embodiment of the present invention is where the fourth basic embodiment is modified by there being packaged a plurality of different size of products with each product having its own package and each product having its own different sized housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings.

[0027]FIG. 1 is a frontal isometric view of the first embodiment of package of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view of the first embodiment of package of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the first embodiment of package of the present invention taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 4 is a front isometric view of the second embodiment of package of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 5 is a rear isometric view of the second embodiment of package of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the second embodiment of package of the present invention taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

[0033]FIG. 7 is a front isometric view of a third embodiment of package of the present invention; and

[0034]FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the third embodiment of package of the present invention taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1-3 the first embodiment 10 of package of this invention. The first embodiment 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 is formed of two separate sheet material members which are mated together. The two members comprise an outer shell member 14 and an inner shell member 16. The outer shell member 14 and the inner shell member 16 are secured together normally around the peripheral edge of the housing 12. This sealing can occur by a physical snap lock system or could comprise a welding technique. Typically, the housing 12 will be constructed of plastic. Also, the housing 12 may be constructed of entirely transparent plastic or at least the outer member 14 being transparent in its central area.

[0036] When the outer shell member 14 is secured to the inner shell member 16, there is formed therebetween a product receiving chamber 18. Mounted within the chamber 18 is an arcuately shaped product 20. The product 20 can take any of numerous forms. However, specifically the package of the present invention has been designed for use in conjunction with a magnetic device that is attachable on the exterior surface of an oil filter canister 22. An example of such a product is disclosed within U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/817,467 entitled, MAGNETIC ASSEMBLY TO BE APPLIED AGAINST AN OIL FILTER, by the present inventor. For a complete description of the product 20, one is to be referred to the description in the aforementioned patent application. However, it is to be considered to be within the scope of this invention that the concept of the present invention can be utilized in conjunction with products other than the product 20.

[0037] Above the product receiving chamber 18 there is located a narrow space 24. A similar narrow space 26 is located below the product receiving chamber 20. Within the narrow space 24, there will normally be mounted some type of advertising indicia or information indicia inscribed on a paper insert 28. A similar paper insert 30 is located within the space 26. In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the outer member 14 is entirely transparent so a person can visually observe not only the product 20 but inserts 28 and 30.

[0038] In observing FIG. 1-3, it can be seen that the basic shape of the housing 12 is that of being curved. The upper section with the paper insert 28 is smoothly arcuate forming a part of a cylinder with the outer shell member 14 being concave and the inner shell member 16 being convex. This convex shape of the inner shell member 16 defines a cavity 32 within the upper section. This cavity 32 is designed in conjunction with the particular size of product 20 to be of a certain minimum diameter. For example, let it be assumed that the product 20, which also has a part cylindrical configuration, is designed to be placed on and be flush against a canister 22 that is three inches in diameter. A typical canister would be an oil filter canister. There are numerous different oil filter canisters 22. Canisters 22 frequently vary in size. Therefore, a three inch diameter canister 22 may actually only be 2.90 inches or may be 3.10 inches in diameter. The product 20 is designed to be slightly flexible so it will accommodate to any size canister between 2.90 inches and 3.10 inches. The consumer, when buying of the package, and if the consumer wants to make sure that the product 20 that he or she is purchasing will fit the particular oil filter canister that is required for that consumer, the consumer only needs to place in his or her hand the oil filter canister that he or she requires and insert that in a mating insertion within the cavity 32. In a normal retail outlet, an oil filter canister will be readily available. If the oil filter canister 22 fits within the cavity 32 or is slightly larger than the cavity 32, than that tells the consumer that the product 20 may be the correct product for the consumer's usage. However, there is a second cavity 34 located in the area of the paper insert 30. This second cavity 34 is of a slightly larger diameter, which in this particular application would be 3.10 inches in diameter. The consumer then takes the same canister 22 and matingly inserts that within the cavity 34. If the canister 22 fits within the cavity 34, even if it is a loose fit, it will tell the consumer that now the product 20 is capable of being employed for the particular size of canister 22 for which the consumer desires the product 20 to be used.

[0039] If the canister 22 is larger than the cavity 34, then that tells the consumer that the particular product 20 is not the correct size and a different model of product 20 needs to be employed, that of a slightly larger diameter. If the canister 22 assumes a loose fit within the cavity 32, then that tells the consumer that a different model of product 20 is needed, one that is formed of a slightly smaller diameter.

[0040] It is also considered to be within the scope of this invention that the inner surface of the product receiving chamber 18 could be formed into a cavity 36. This cavity 36 could be designed to be of the precise size that is required for the product 20, such as for example 3.00 inches. The cavities 32 and 34 could be designed instead to represent different models of the product 20 with cavity 32 to represent the size of a smaller model and cavity 34 to represent the size of a larger model. Therefore, if the consumer finds that the particular canister 22 fits or closely fits to the cavity 36, then that is the size of the product 20 that is needed for the particular consumer's installation. However, if the canister 22 fits within the cavity 32 or is smaller than cavity 32, then that tells the consumer a different model is required of the product 20, one that has a slightly smaller diameter, such as about 2.80 inches in diameter. However, if the canister 22 fits within the cavity 34 or is larger than cavity 34, then that tells the consumer that a slightly larger diameter model of product 20 is required, such as 3.20 inches in diameter.

[0041] Referring particularly to FIGS. 4-6 of the drawings, there is shown the second embodiment 38 of package of this invention. The second embodiment 38 is formed in basically the same manner of a housing 40 which is formed of an outer shell member 42 and an inner shell member 44. The product 20 is still mounted within a product receiving chamber 46 which is mounted between the members 42 and 44. Instead of having arcuate cavities 32 and 34, there are formed enclosing cavities 48 and 50. Cavity 48 has a longitudinal center axis 52 and cavity 50 has a longitudinal center axis 54. The axes 52 and 54 are located parallel to each other. The second embodiment 38 has a longitudinal center axis 56. It is to be noted that the axes 52 and 54 are located perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis 56.

[0042] The consumer, when desiring to purchase of the product and wants to discover if the product 20 will fit a particular canister 22, the consumer only needs to take the canister 22 and attempt to insert such within each of the cavities 48 and 50. If the canister 22 will fit within the cavity 28 or is slightly larger than cavity 28, then that indicates to the consumer that the product 20 may be the desirable product size. The consumer then attempts to insert the canister 22 within the cavity 50, and if the canister 22 fits within the cavity 50 or is slightly smaller, the consumer knows that the product 20 is the correct size for the particular size of canister that is the required oil filter size for the consumer's vehicle for which the product 20 is being purchased. It is to be noted that within the second embodiment 38 that there is no functional purpose for the cavity 58 which is located in the area of the product 20.

[0043] Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown a third embodiment 60 of packaging of this invention. The third embodiment 60 is again formed of a shell type housing 62 which is formed by matingly abutting together an outer shell member 64 with an inner shell member 66. The shell members 64 and 66 form a product receiving chamber 68 within which is located the product 20. Located above the chamber 68 is an enclosing cavity 70 and located below the chamber 68 is a hole 72. The cavity 70 is to be of smaller diameter then cavity 72. Cavity 70 could be similar in size to cavity 48 with cavity 72 being similar in size to cavity 50. The same canister sizing relationship which has been previously described in relation to the second embodiment 38 is to be used with the canister attempting to be inserted in the cavities 70 and 72. It is to be noted that within the third embodiment 60, the longitudinal center axis of the cavities 70 and 72 coincide with the longitudinal center axis 74 of the third embodiment 60.

[0044] From a manufacturing cost point-of view, the second embodiment 38 and the third embodiment 60 will inherently be more expensive to manufacture than the first embodiment 10. It is for this reason that probably the first embodiment 10 will be the selected embodiment of usage.

[0045] Each of the embodiments 10, 38 and 60 can have mounted thereon a hanging tab 76. The function of the hanging tab 76 is to permit hanging of the package onto a shelf rod, which is not shown. The shelf rod is to be locatable within the hole 78 formed within the hanging tab 76. However, it is to be within the scope of this invention because of the basic shape of each of the embodiments 10, 38 and 60 that these embodiments can merely be set on a shelf instead of actually the package being hung by the hanging tab 76.

[0046] The third embodiment 60 may also include paper inserts 28 and 30. The second embodiment 38 will not accommodate the rectangularly shaped inserts 28 and 30. However, the second embodiment 38 may include disc-shaped paper inserts 80 and 82. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A package for a product that is to be manufactured in a plurality of different sizes for a plurality of different size articles, said package comprising: a housing having a product receiving chamber, said product to be located within said product receiving chamber; and said housing having at least one sizing cavity of a specific size and shape, whereby an article is to be attempted to mate with said sizing cavity, and.if the article fits within said sizing cavity, the product will be the correct size for the article.
 2. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein: said product having a curved shape.
 3. The package as defined in claim 2 wherein: each size of said product having a different said curved shape.
 4. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein: said housing in the area of said product receiving chamber being transparent so as to be able to visually observe said product contained within said product receiving chamber.
 5. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein: said sizing cavity being smoothly arcuate.
 6. The package as defined in claim 5 wherein: said smoothly arcuate being part of a cylinder.
 7. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein: said housing having a pair of said sizing cavities, each said sizing cavity being of a different size, if an article fits within both of said cavities, then the said product in said package will be usable with the article.
 8. The package as defined in claim 6 wherein: said sizing cavity being enclosed.
 9. The package as defined in claim 8 wherein: the center axis of said sizing cavity is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said package.
 10. The package as defined in claim 8 wherein: said cavity having a longitudinal center axis which coincides with a longitudinal center axis of said package.
 11. A package for a product that is to be mounted on the exterior surface of a cylindrically shaped canister comprising: a housing composed of an outer member and an inner member, said product to be captured between said outer member and said inner member; and said housing having a partly circular first sizing cavity of a first specific diameter, the canister is to be placed within said first sizing cavity and, if the cylindrical shape canister fits within said first sizing cavity, said product will be the correct size for the canister.
 12. The package as defined in claim 11 wherein: said housing in the area of said product being transparent in order to visually observe the product through said package.
 13. The package as defined in claim 11 wherein: said housing having a partly circular second sizing cavity of a second specific diameter, said second specific diameter being different from said first specific diameter, if the canister fits within or is smaller than said first sizing cavity and if the canister fits within or is larger than said second sizing cavity, the product will be the correct size for the canister.
 14. A method of packaging a product comprising the steps of: forming a housing with a product receiving chamber; placing of said product within said product receiving chamber; and forming at least one sizing cavity within said housing of a specific size and shape, whereby a separate canister is to be matingly positioned within said sizing cavity and if the canister fits there within the product is the correct size to be used with the canister.
 15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the forming step includes: forming a pair of sizing cavities within said housing with each sizing cavity being of a different size, and if the canister is equal in size or smaller to one sizing cavity and the canister is equal in size and larger than the other sizing cavity, the product within that package will be usable with that canister.
 16. A method of merchandising a product comprising the steps of: placing said product in a housing; forming in said housing at least one sizing cavity of a specific size and shape; and attempting to place a canister separate from said housing within said sizing cavity, and if it fits there within said product will be the correct size of product to be used with the canister, and if the canister does not fit there within, said product is not the correct size of product to be used with the canister.
 17. The method as defined in claim 16 wherein the forming step includes: forming a pair of separate sizing cavities within said housing where each sizing cavity is of a different size.
 18. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein there are available a plurality of different sizes of said product with each size of said product to be usable with a specific size of said housing result in the forming of a plurality of different sizes of said housing. 